CN112088112A - Mount for a handheld electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The mount includes a mount base and a mount head coupled to the mount base. The mount base supports the mount head relative to another fixed or movable structure. The handheld electronic device is coupled to the mount head to be supported relative to the structure when selected by a user.

Description

Mounts for handheld electronic devices

technical field

The present disclosure relates to a mount, and in particular, to a mount for a handheld electronic device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mount for positioning a handheld electronic device relative to a vehicle, such as a motorcycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mount according to the present disclosure includes a mount base and a mount head coupled to the mount base. The mount base supports the mount head relative to another fixed or movable structure. The handheld electronic device is coupled to the mount head to be supported relative to the structure when selected by the user.

In the illustrative embodiment, the expansion clamp is coupled to the mount base for engagement with a tubular member of the structure, such as a front fork center tube of a motorcycle. The expansion clamp includes a number of keys, drivers and fasteners. A fastener passes at least partially through the base to engage the driver. The keys are positioned around the fasteners and held together by one or more retainers. The fastener moves the driver relative to the post coupled to the base to move the key between retracted and expanded positions.

In the illustrative embodiment, each key is formed to define one or more grooves and grooves. The groove positions the retainer relative to the key. The slot engages the driver and the flange on the post to align the key relative to the base and prevent rotation of the driver relative to the base. The ramp of the key engages the ramp of the driver and post to translate axial movement of the driver into radial movement of the key.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when considering illustrative embodiments illustrating the best mode for carrying out the invention as currently understood.

Description of drawings

The detailed description refers specifically to the accompanying drawings, and throughout which like reference numerals refer to the same or like parts, wherein:

1 is a partial perspective view of a motorcycle showing a mount in accordance with the present disclosure positioned for attachment with a front fork center tube of the motorcycle and showing the attachment of a handheld electronic device to the mount to attach the handheld electronic device remain on the motorcycle;

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the expansion clamp of the mount received in the fork center tube and showing the expansion clamp engaging the inner surface of the fork center tube , to keep the mount on the motorcycle when selected by the user;

Figure 3 is an exploded assembly view of the mount of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the expansion clamp of Figure 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded assembly view of the expansion clamp of FIG. 4 showing the slot in the key engaging the flanges of the driver and post to align the key with the driver and post, and as the fastener is rotated, the drive is movable relative to the column;

6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the expansion clamp in a retracted position and showing that movement of the driver relative to the post forces the key outwardly into engagement with the fork center tube;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the expansion clamp in an expanded position engaged with the center tube of the front fork; and

8 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 1 showing the housing of the handheld electronic device positioned for attachment with the mount and showing that the head of the mount engages the receiver of the housing for attaching the housing to the housing. and handheld electronics are attached to the mount.

The examples set forth herein illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and these embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, which illustrate the best modes of carrying out the disclosure as presently understood.

Detailed ways

A mount 10 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 . The mount 10 is configured to be attached to a vehicle 100 (such as a motorcycle) for positioning a handheld electronic device 200 (such as a smartphone, tablet, GPS unit, or monitor) relative to the motorcycle 100 . In the illustrative embodiment, motorcycle 100 includes frame 102 and front fork assembly 104 . The mount 10 engages the front fork center tube 106 of the front fork assembly 104 to retain the mount 10 on the motorcycle 100 . A housing 202 attached to the handheld electronic device 200 engages with the mount 10 to hold the handheld electronic device 200 on the motorcycle 100 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the mount 10 includes a mount head 12 , a mount base 16 and an expansion clamp 18 . The adjustment arm 14 is coupled to the base 16 at a first end and to the head 12 at an opposite second end. The adjustment arm 14 allows movement of the head 12 relative to the base 16 when selected by the user. An expansion clamp 18 is coupled to the base 16 and is configured to engage with the center tube 106 to retain the mount 10 on the motorcycle 100 . The base 16 rests on the upper end of the center tube 106 and the expansion clamp 18 engages the inner surface of the center tube 106 . In some embodiments, the expansion clamp 18 may engage with other tubes (circular and non-circular) for retaining the mount 10 on other vehicles or stationary structures.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the components of mount 10 may be arranged in various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the head 12 may be attached to the base 16 without the use of the adjustment arm 14 . In some embodiments, the head 12 may be attached to the expansion base 18 without the use of the adjustment arm 14 or the base 16 .

The front fork assembly 104 includes an upper fork plate 101 and a lower fork plate 103 coupled together by a center tube 106 . In the illustrative embodiment, center tube 106 is secured to lower fork plate 103, such as by welding or threading, and extends through frame 102 and upper fork plate 101 for engagement with nut 109 for attaching the front fork assembly 104 is secured to frame 102 . Bearings 105 , 107 are positioned relative to frame 102 and fork plates 101 , 103 , respectively, to allow for smooth rotation of front fork assembly 104 relative to frame 102 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the expansion clamp 18 includes a barrel 20 , a driver 26 and a fastener 29 . Fasteners 29 penetrate at least partially through base 16 to engage driver 26 . In the illustrative embodiment, the barrel 20 is defined by a plurality of keys 22 held together with one or more retainers 24, as shown in FIG. 4 . The holder 24 is formed as a coil of wire made of elastic material such as metal. In some embodiments, the retainer 24 is formed as a C-clip or other elastically deformable shape. Four keys 22 are illustratively used to form cylinder 20 . In some embodiments, more or fewer keys 22 are used. In some embodiments, the barrel 20 is formed as a unitary structure, such as a sleeve of elastically deformable material. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the cylinder 20 may include any other suitable structure for securing the mount 10 to a motorcycle, bicycle, or any other surface.

As shown in FIG. 5 , fastener 29 moves driver 26 relative to post 28 coupled to base 16 . Each key 22 of the cylinder 20 is formed to define one or more grooves 21 along the radially outer surface and a groove 23 in the radially inner surface at opposite axial ends. The groove 21 positions the retainer 24 relative to the key 22 . The slot 23 engages the driver 26 and the flange 25 on the post 28 to align the key 22 relative to the base 16 and prevent the driver 26 from rotating relative to the base 16 .

Chamfers 35 defined at opposite axial ends of key 22 engage driver 26 and ramps 37 of post 28 to translate axial movement of driver 26 into radial movement of barrel 20, thereby in a retracted position (e.g. The cylinder 20 is moved between the expanded position (shown in Figure 6) and the expanded position (shown in Figure 7). In some embodiments, the driver 26 is engaged with the barrel 20 to expand radially outward at least a portion of the barrel 20 , such as one or more of the keys 22 . In some embodiments, the key 22 may be moved to the same or a different radial distance from the fastener 29 in the expanded position of the barrel 20 .

The retracted position of the barrel 20 allows the expansion clamp 18 to be inserted into the base tube 106 at any relative angular position selected by the user, and the user can then rotate the fastener 29 to move the expansion clamp 18 to the expanded position, thereby aligning the key 22 with the center tube 106. The center tube 106 is engaged to attach the mount 10 to the motorcycle 100 . In the illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , cap 33 and fastener 46 are removed to provide access to fastener 29 . The retainer 24 biases the key 22 toward the retracted position. In some embodiments, keys 22 may be exchanged with larger or smaller radially sized keys to match different sized tubes. In some embodiments, the cylinder 20 may be formed thicker or thinner to match different sized tubes.

In some embodiments, the slot 23 of the key 22 is formed in the bevel 35 . In some embodiments, the driver 26 and the flange 25 of the post 28 extend from the ramp 37 . In some embodiments, posts 28 are not used, and keys 22 travel along the lower surface of base 16 as actuator 26 moves keys 22 between retracted and expanded positions. In some embodiments, the driver 26 does not include the ramp 37 and moves the key 22 axially relative to the post 28 to move the key 22 between retracted and expanded positions. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, key 22 and retainer 24 may include any other suitable structure for securing mount 10 to a motorcycle, bicycle, or any other surface.

The base 16 of the mount 10 includes feet 32 and towers 34 extending upwardly from the feet 32 as shown in FIG. 3 . Posts 28 extend downwardly from feet 32 . Base grips 36 are formed on opposite lateral sides of tower 34 and each base grip 36 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Fasteners 29 extend into holes 31 in base 16 and are covered by caps 33 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the adjustment arm 14 includes a left arm member 42 and a right arm member 44 . Each arm member 42 , 44 includes a rear clamp 41 , a front clamp 43 and a clamp 45 . The clips 45 of the arm members 42, 44 engage each other to hold the arm members 42, 44 together. The rear clamps 41 each include a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth that engage the teeth of the base clamps 36 of the base 16 to allow the arm members 42, 44 to move relative to the base ₁₆ about the axis A1. Selective targeting. Fasteners 46 extend through arm members 42 , 44 , tower 34 and cap 33 to engage nuts 47 . Tightening of the fasteners 46 with nuts 47 secures the position of the arm members 42 , 44 relative to the base 16 at the user's choice.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the knuckle 50 is formed to define a head grip 52 and an arm grip 54 positioned on opposite lateral sides of the knuckle 50 . The head 12 is coupled to the steering knuckle 50 using fasteners 68 and engages the head clamp 52 to allow selective positioning of the head 12 relative to the steering knuckle 50 about axis A ₂ . Each arm grip 54 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. The front clamps 43 of the arm members 42 , 44 each include a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth that engage the teeth of the arm clamp 54 to allow the steering knuckle 50 (and the head 12 ) to be relative to the arm member 42 , 44 selective positioning about axis _A3 . Fasteners 48 extend through arm members 42 , 44 and knuckle 50 to engage nuts 49 . Tightening of fasteners 48 with nuts 49 secures the position of steering knuckle 50 relative to arm members 42 , 44 at the user's choice.

The head 12 of the mount 10 includes a support plate 62 and an attachment plate 64 coupled to the support plate 62 , as shown in FIG. 3 . The support plate 62 engages the head clamp 52 of the steering knuckle 50 to allow selective positioning of the head 12 relative to the steering knuckle 50 . Paddle 66 is coupled to support plate 62 and is movable relative to attachment plate 64 .

The housing 202 includes a rear wall 204 and a peripheral wall 205 that define an interior space 206 for attachment to the handheld electronic device 200, as shown in FIG. 8 . Receptacles 208 are formed in rear wall 204 and include a series of housing projections 201 separated by gaps 203 . A series of mount tabs 61 extend outwardly from attachment plate 64 for engagement with housing tabs 201 to attach housing 202 (including handheld electronic device 200 stored therein) with mount 10 . Mount tab 61 passes through gap 203 and housing 202 is rotated relative to mount 10 to engage mount tab 61 with housing tab 201 . The locking tabs 63 on the paddles 66 fall into the gaps 203 and engage the housing tabs 201 to prevent removal of the housing 202 from the mount 10 when selected by the user. The user moves paddle 66 relative to attachment plate 64 to pull locking tab 63 out of gap 203 and allow housing 202 to be rotated and removed from mount 10 .

In the illustrative embodiment, the components of mount 10 may be formed from various rigid materials, such as thermoplastic polymers, metals, and metal alloys, among others. In some embodiments, the barrel 20 may be formed from various elastically deformable materials, such as thermoset polymers and natural rubber, among others.

Although the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications, uses, adaptations and equivalent arrangements based on the disclosed principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover at least such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the technical field to which this application pertains. It is contemplated that various modifications and equivalent structures and functions can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (22)

1. A mount, comprising:

a head adapted to engage with a housing of a handheld electronic device;

a base coupled to the head; and

an expansion clamp coupled to the base, the expansion clamp including a cylinder, a driver, and a fastener, the driver and fastener aligned with the base along a common axis;

wherein the fastener passes at least partially through the base to engage with the driver, the barrel is positioned around the fastener, and the fastener is configured to move the driver axially relative to the base to move at least a portion of the barrel radially between a retracted position and an expanded position upon user selection.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the barrel is defined by a plurality of keys, wherein the keys are positioned around the fasteners, and wherein the fasteners are configured to axially move the driver relative to the base to radially move at least one of the keys between a retracted position and an expanded position upon selection by a user.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the keys are held together by one or more retainers.

4. The mount of claim 3, wherein the one or more retainers bias the key toward the retracted position.

5. A mount according to claim 3, wherein each key is formed to define one or more grooves for locating the one or more retainers relative to the key.

6. The mount of claim 2, wherein each key is formed to define a ramp at an axial end of the key, and wherein the ramp of the key engages the ramp of the driver to translate axial movement of the driver into radial movement of the key.

7. The mount of claim 6, wherein each key is further formed to define a groove in a radially inner surface at opposite axial ends of the key, and wherein the groove of the key engages the driver and the flange of the base to align the key relative to the base and prevent rotation of the driver relative to the base.

8. The mount of claim 2, further comprising a post coupled to the base, wherein each key is formed to define a chamfer at an axial end of the key, and wherein the chamfer of the key engages the chamfer of the post to translate axial movement of the driver into radial movement of the key.

9. The mount of claim 8, wherein each key is further formed to define a groove in a radially inner surface at opposite axial ends of the key, and wherein the groove of the key engages the driver and the flange of the post to align the key relative to the base and prevent rotation of the driver relative to the base.

10. The mount of claim 2, wherein the plurality of keys comprises four keys.

11. The mount of claim 10, wherein the one or more holders comprise two holders.

12. The mount of claim 2, further comprising an attachment arm coupled to the base at a first end and coupled to the head at an opposite second end, wherein the adjustment arm is configured to position the head relative to the base.

13. An expansion clip for use with a mount of a handheld electronic device, the expansion clip comprising:

a cylinder;

a driver; and

a fastener extending at least partially through the mount for engagement with the driver, the fastener and the driver aligned along a common axis,

wherein the barrel is positioned about the fastener and the fastener is configured to move the driver axially relative to the mount to move at least a portion of the barrel radially between a retracted position and an expanded position upon selection by a user.

14. The expansion clamp of claim 13, wherein the cylinder is defined by a plurality of keys, wherein the keys are positioned around the fastener, and wherein the fastener is configured to axially move the driver relative to the mount to radially move at least one of the keys between a retracted position and an expanded position upon selection by a user.

15. The expansion clip of claim 14 wherein the keys are held together by one or more retainers.

16. The expansion clamp of claim 15, wherein the one or more retainers bias the key toward the retracted position.

17. The expansion clamp of claim 15 wherein each key is formed to define one or more grooves for positioning the one or more retainers relative to the key.

18. The expansion clamp of claim 14 wherein each key is formed to define a chamfer at an axial end of the key, and wherein the chamfer of the key engages the chamfer of the driver to translate axial movement of the driver into radial movement of the key.

19. The expansion clamp of claim 18, wherein each key is further formed to define a groove in a radially inner surface at an axial end of the key, and wherein the groove of the key engages a flange of the driver to prevent rotation of the driver relative to the key.

20. The expansion clamp of claim 14, wherein the plurality of keys comprises four keys.

21. The expansion clamp of claim 20 wherein the one or more holders comprise two holders.

22. A mount, comprising:

a head adapted to engage with a housing of a handheld electronic device;

a base coupled to the head; and

an expansion clamp coupled to the base, the expansion clamp including a plurality of keys, a driver, and a fastener, the driver and fastener aligned with the base along a common axis;

wherein the fastener passes at least partially through the base to engage with the driver, the key is positioned around the fastener, and the fastener is configured to move the driver axially relative to the base to move the key radially between a retracted position and an expanded position upon selection by a user.

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